Mr. Big Shot: An Enemies To Lovers Romance (Kinda Cocky Book 1), стр. 5
If that woman is trying to kick down my door…
Clarissa yelled through the door. “Mr. Hearthstone!? It’s important!”
Brenden stood. “I think that’s my cue.”
I shook my head. “Why doesn’t she use the intercom? That’s what it’s there for.”
He grinned. “I think she likes annoying you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Wonderful.”
Another thump fell against my door. “Zane!”
I shot out of my chair. “You’re fired, Clarissa!”
Brenden started laughing as sounds ceased behind my locked office door. I reached over and pressed the red intercom button and hardened my voice as much as I could.
“Clarissa?” I asked.
I heard footsteps backtracking from my door before her voice filled my office.
“What?” she asked.
“Your last day is Friday. Wrap up everything you can, take notes for me, and make sure to pack your desk.”
“Yeah, I’m not coming in tomorrow. Or the day after that. Good luck finding someone to put up with your shit, Zane,” she hissed.
Brenden’s laughter filled my office as Clarissa drew in another deep breath. “Oh, and another thing? Screw you. I’ll be praying for your next secretary. She’s going to need it when dealing with Satan Incarnate.”
Brenden fell into his chair and started wheezing as he held his stomach. I wanted to fire back, but I bit my tongue. No use engaging a woman like her. I didn’t like her, anyway. She reminded me too much of all the negative things that came with my own mother.
“If you don’t stay and do your job until Friday, you’ll be dismissed without severance.” I pulled my finger away from the intercom button before a soft click filled my office.
“Yes, Mr. Hearthstone,” Clarissa said.
Music to my ears.
Brenden wiped the tears from his eyes. “We’re going out tonight to celebrate.”
I sat back down. “I’m not going out.”
“You’re going out, and that’s final. I won’t hear another word about it. We’re toasting to that woman’s departure, and then hitting up a church somewhere to pray for your next hire.”
I started opening applications of those that had applied. “Fine. Suit yourself.”
“Oh! Just to let you know, Roxy and Kelly are going to be out with us tonight.”
I nodded mindlessly. “Sounds like a plan.”
He was still standing there. “You know, the girls we met when we were at Stanford?”
“I remember. Just know I have a lot of work to do, so I won’t be staying long.”
“We’ll see how you feel about that once you get loosey-goosey on the dance floor, baby. Yeah!”
I read through the first application. “Uh-huh. Sure.”
“I’ll pick you up at eight.” He was excited enough for ten people.
“Shoot me a text, and I’ll meet you there when I’m done here.”
His voice suddenly sounded like our father's. “Eight o’clock, Zane. Promise.”
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Look at me and promise me.”
I sighed as my eyes found his. “I promise, I’ll meet you wherever the hell it is we’re going at eight. Okay?”
He smiled brightly. “I’ll shoot you the address later. Oh, I can’t wait!”
I turned my attention back to the applicants that kept rolling in. I discarded them and starred them as necessary, so I could find them later.
After all, I needed a new secretary by the beginning of the next week.
3
Karina
I sighed. “I don’t know, Roxy. I think this lipstick is a bit too bright for me.”
Kelly scoffed. “Come on. Red is in for everyone right now. Trust me, that bright red looks great against her skin.”
Roxy giggled. “I can’t hold a tan to save my life. But, that lipstick makes you look like you just got back from the Bahamas or something.”
I slid one more coat over my lips. “Well, if you two say so.”
Kelly wrapped her arms around my neck. “And we definitely do, sexy.”
She winked at me, and I shook my head. Those two always looked put together. Especially that night. Roxy, with her long legs and her smooth porcelain skin, had bright green eyes, just like her sister. Her blonde hair gave her an innocent look that always drew men to her, while Kelly held the dark brown hair her father had that gave her a mischievous look. With slim waists, long legs, and an intoxicating perfume containing roses and lavender, I knew they’d knock it out of the park.
Whereas I didn’t even have a dress to put on.
“We really need to take you shopping,” Roxy suggested.
Kelly raised her finger. “But! You look great in this outfit. I mean, come on. Look at yourself.”
I tugged at the shirt. “Is it supposed to come up so far?”
Roxy giggled. “Yes, silly. It’s a crop top. And I still can’t believe you don’t own one.”
I sighed. “Yeah, because it doesn’t cover my stomach.”
Kelly rubbed my tummy. “Your flat stomach, which we’re all jealous of, by the way.”
I snickered. “Yeah, well, I’m jealous of those curves you two have.”
“What!? Girl, you’ve got curves. Look at those tits!” Roxy gasped.
Kelly jiggled my hips. “And look at these love handles. I mean, any man would want to put his hands on them.”
I smacked her away. “Stop it. You know I’m self-conscious about that.”
Roxy sighed. “Are you still letting that asshole get to you?”
Kelly’s face fell. “Come on, Karina. It’s been, what? Seven years now?”
I turned around. “Do these earrings go with this outfit?”
Roxy glared at me. “Stop changing the subject.”
Kelly hooked her arm in mine. “Our job is to get you laid tonight. And no one wants to have sex with a girl who’s hung up on her high school boyfriend.”
I rolled my eyes. “First of all, no. No getting laid anywhere. This is a girl’s night out. No guys allowed.”
Roxy rolled her eyes. “Speak for yourself.”
I shook my head. “And the second thing… It’s not my fault that he convinced me we’d be together forever before he up and dumped me. It would take any regular girl a while to get over something like that, too. But, you guys are the ones who keep bringing it up, not me.”
Kelly licked her lips. “Honey, let me